title: The clinical and biological role of CD20 membrane antigen modulation under immunotherapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in lymphoprolipherative neoplastic disorders.
abstract: Immunotherapy using an antibody (rituximab) targeting CD20 antigen in combination with chemotherapy has been recently associated with significantly improved response rate and survival in patients with various types of CD20-positive B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. This treatment may induce the disappearance of CD20 surface expression on neoplastic B-cells. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain CD20 loss after rituximab therapy, while the clinical significance (if any) of this phenomenon is still not clear. We have produced a brief overview of the biological aspects of CD20 modulation after rituximab treatment and its possible clinical implications.
authors.forename: Pellegrino
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Musto
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Auria
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000069283:Rituximab